How Can I Reduce My Exposure to ‘Forever Chemicals’?: A PFAS Consumer Guide
This blog was written by Lily Farinaccio, WHEN’s policy analyst.
Read the full guide here.
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals with grease, heat, and water-resistant properties. They are used in various industrial applications and consumer products, including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, food packaging, carpeting, apparel, upholstery, and even personal care products.
Where do PFAS come from?
PFAS are synthetic, which means they are entirely human-made. They were invented by DuPont in the 1940s and came into widespread use in the 1950s.
How are we exposed to PFAS?
According to the Government of Canada, PFAS are present in almost 100% of the Canadian population. We are routinely exposed to PFAS through the food we eat, the air we breathe, our household dust, consumer products, and food packaging.
When items containing PFAS are dumped into landfills, they travel easily through the air, soil, and water around disposal sites. They have also been found to bioaccumulate, meaning they can build up indefinitely in animals such as fish, caribou, and even humans.
Why are PFAS concerning?
At extremely low levels, PFAS are associated with a wide range of health effects, including thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, decreased fertility, asthma, hypercholesterolemia, decreased vaccine response, developmental issues, and endocrine, liver, and immunological effects. Well-studied PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), have been found to cause tumours in animals at high doses.
Who is disproportionately impacted by PFAS?
While everyone is exposed to PFAS, many populations are disproportionately affected.
Studies have consistently found elevated levels of PFAS in the blood of Indigenous peoples across the country; this is largely due to a reliance on traditional foods such as fish and caribou.
Due to their job duties, cleaning workers are repeatedly and frequently exposed to PFAS-containing products.
PFAS have been found to put women at an increased risk of various fertility impacts, as well as the development of certain cancers, including skin and breast cancer.
Children are also more at risk due to their size and behaviour (ex.: closeness to floors, tendency to place objects in their mouths).
How Can We Protect Ourselves?
Because PFAS are so pervasive and persistent, the sad reality is we can’t fully limit our exposure. That doesn’t mean we should simply give up! Currently, WHEN is pushing for better laws and regulations that’ll protect environmental and human health from these toxic chemicals. In the meantime, there are small actions you can take to help reduce your exposure.
PFAS-Free Shopping List
We’ve compiled a list of PFAS-free alternatives so you don’t have to:
Cookware
Try these affordable stainless steel, cast iron, and glass cookware options
Want a cheaper alternative? Look for second-hand stainless steel, cast iron, and glass cookware on Facebook Marketplace (Buying second-hand makes less waste, too!)
Food packaging
Check out these reusable glass containers
Look for second-hand glass containers on Facebook Marketplace
Clothing and textiles
Cosmetics and personal care products
Support brands like Credo and Whole Foods Beauty that have committed to not use PFAS in their makeup products
Want PFAS-free dental floss? Check out these products: Nudge, RADIUS, TreeBird
Cleaning products
Explore EWG’s list of of non-toxic, ewg-verified cleaning products
Try these recipes for DIY, non-toxic cleaners using ingredients found in your home
It’s not you…
…it’s poor regulations! We can’t emphasize this enough. While there are some measures we can take as individuals to protect ourselves from PFAS, what we really need to do is urge our governments to protect us FIRST. We need our governments to take real action, such as phasing out the use of all PFAS, and advertising when PFAS are used in our products. We all deserve the right to live in an environment free from the threats these chemicals pose!
Take a look + get involved
WHEN’s policy and law reform efforts are committed to ensuring our governments’ regulations consistently prioritize and protect environmental and human health.
Check out our recent submission to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) on their proposed Risk Management Approach for PFAS under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
Donate to WHEN and follow us on our social media to continue to support our mission to eliminate PFAS and their harmful effects.